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MAA Math Alert - November 2009

News and Views

Math in the Movies: Tony DeRose of Pixar Animation Studios illuminated the mathematics of animation as part of the MAA's Distinguished Lecture Series. Article available here. Read the interview with Tony DeRose here.

Author of The Tipping Point Promotes Study of Statistics: Malcolm Gladwell, acclaimed author of The Tipping Point, Blink, and Outliers, pointed to statistics as the salvation of traditional journalism in a recent interview with Time magazine. ReadMore

Collaborate with Terence Tao Whenever the Math Urge Strikes: Fields medalist Terence Tao, University of California, Los Angeles, has turned his blog into a graduate mathematics seminar open to the general public. Read More

Hard Problems Moves to Television
The MAA-produced documentary Hard Problems is being broadcast on many public television stations across the country. PBS World will show the filmfive times on 40 channels nationwide on October 22. Local PBS stations across the country will show the film at various times over the next few months. Interested viewers are encouraged to check the MAA website regularly for schedule updates and showings in your area. Read More
To find a free, local screening in your area here.

Haven't Seen Hard Problems Yet? The MAA-produced documentary is playing on PBS stations across the country. Can't find your station on our list? Contact your local PBS station and ask them to put Hard Problemson their schedule.

Latest News from MAA Public Policy: On November 6, the Senate approved the $64.9 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) spending bill. The Senate CJS bill includes $6.9 billion for the National Science Foundation, a $426 million boost over FY 2009 and $128 million below President Obama's request. Read More

Between the Folds: New Documentary Premieres on PBS in December: MAA is proud to support ITVS's national Community Cinema screenings of the acclaimed documentary Between the Folds, coming to more than 50 cities across the U.S. Between the Folds introduces a determined group of theoretical scientists, mathematicians, and fine artists who use origami to reinterpret the world in paper, creating a wild mix of sensibilities towards art, science, creativity, and meaning.

Don't worry; if there is no screening in your area, you can still catch Between the Folds on PBS beginning December 8. You can check local listings online.

We hope that Between the Folds will whet your appetite to learn more about the Mathematics of Origami at the Joint Mathematics Meetings in San Francisco. This MAA Contributed Paper Session is scheduled for Friday morning, January 15. Visit www.jointmathmeetings.org for more information.

Free Showing of Between the Folds at MAA Headquarters: RSVP now for a showing of the critically acclaimed documentary on Thursday, December 3, at 6:30 PM in the MAA's Carriage House.

Subsidized Childcare Services at the 2010 Joint Mathematics Meetings: The American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America are pleased to announce that for the fifth year they are offering, and significantly subsidizing, childcare services at the Joint Mathematics Meetings. The childcare will be offered to parents through KiddieCorp. Click here for more information.

Featured Articles

David Bressoud Interviewed on New Podcast: Graduate student Samuel Hansen, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, discussed calculus and MAA history with MAA President David Bressoud. Listen to the interview here.

Card Colm - The Bligreath Principle: Colm Mulcahy celebrated the fifth anniversary of his popular blog Card Colm with some mathemagical entertainment dedicated to Martin Gardiner on his 95th birthday. Read More

Devlin's Angle: Devlin discussed "Soft Mathematics" in psychology, sociology, political science, and general fiction. Read More

New from the MAA

Renew Your MAA Membership: Have you renewed your membership? The MAA now offers an electronic membership which gives you access to all three of our outstanding journals, American Mathematical Monthly, College Mathematics Journal and Mathematics Magazine! To take advantage of this option simply select it when you renew your membership